general 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjen-rəl How to pronounce general (audio)
Definition of generalnext
1
as in overall
belonging or relating to the whole a general increase in postage rates there's been a general improvement in the economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in broad
relating to the main elements and not to specific details gave the general impression of being kindhearted a general course of study in American history

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people it was the general opinion that the politician was a liar the general mood of the nation was one of hope and optimism

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unlimited
not limited or specialized in application or purpose a new kitchen tool of general usefulness a general education

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

general

2 of 2

noun

as in executive

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of general
Adjective
The structure includes a group of trustees who have majority control of the board of directors, as well as a special class of shares that ensures the seven founders own a majority of the general shareholder voting power. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026 Mayor Eddie Melton was also present and presented the city salaries and general budgets. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
Eisenhower — raised in Abilene, Kansas where his presidential library is located — was a five-star general who commanded the international coalition of Allied forces during World War II. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 Denzel Washington was to have starred in an ambitious Netflix movie centered on rebellious general Hannibal until its high cost squashed it. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for general
Recent Examples of Synonyms for general
  1. overall
  2. broad
  3. prevailing
  4. unlimited
  5. executive
  6. generic
  7. public
  8. unrestricted
Adjective
  • The initiative targets the submarine’s internal configuration, where even minor design changes can affect the vessel’s overall balance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Right now, protesters in France are complaining about crumbling schools, the lack of teachers, and the overall high cost of living.
    — Erika Beras, NPR, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of overall
Adjective
  • In a broad open field, horses munch standing hay as Katie Baltzor watches her black angus cattle on this fall day.
    — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • That broader mission could give the Army another option for responding to different aerial targets.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of broad
Adjective
  • The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
    — Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of prevailing
Adjective
  • Plans run from accident-only up to its unlimited Ultimate tier, and accident-and-illness coverage includes alternative therapies, dental illness and hereditary conditions.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • When the 2025 House settlement limited rosters to 105 players instead of effectively unlimited, coaches were less willing to go all out in practice and risk injuries.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of unlimited
Noun
  • Former TikTok executive Dustin Goot and former Vice exec Subrata De are both joining in senior roles, alongside media operators Alexandra Zaslow and Brannan Goetschius.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But Joseph Chalom, CEO of SharpLink, one of the largest corporate holders of the cryptocurrency ether, and a former BlackRock executive, expects the gates to stay shut for a while.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of executive
Adjective
  • Last year, Gilead established royalty-free licensing agreements with six generic manufacturers to enable production.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Most generic ballot polls show that voters are more likely to back Democrats than Republicans in this midterm election.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • Harmless stories, dangerous behavior Some datasets explored seemingly ordinary subjects, including beekeeping, professional wrestling, and historical public-health cases.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Like Blonde on Blonde, Drukqs was the prolonged exhalation that closed its maker’s years as a celebrity at the vanguard of a genre and inaugurated a long period of reflection and tinkering away from the light of public expectation.
    — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • This mandated that at least 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue be allocated to incarceration alternatives.
    — Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Alexander Goldberg, a district spokesperson, said Measure M is not intended to redirect existing unrestricted general fund money that SCUSD spends on special education.
    — Chaewon Chung October 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrestricted

Phrases Containing general

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generable
general
general assemblies
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Cite this Entry

“General.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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